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When to Plant Leeks in Lonoke County, AR

Leeks are a mild, sweet allium that produces long white shanks. They are more refined than onions and are a key ingredient in soups, stews, and gratins.

Lonoke County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 1,126 feet, Lonoke County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Leeks during the growing season.

Lonoke County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Lonoke County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 27

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Lonoke County

How your county's soil matches Leeks's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“6.5) overlaps with Leeks's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Lonoke County is excellent for Leeks โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Leeks.

How to Plant Leeks

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Leeks needs ~2,190 GDD — county provides 4,161 GDD Excellent fit

Leeks Planting Timeline โ€” Lonoke County, AR

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 โ€“ Sep 10
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Sep 6

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.8"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“150 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

228 days in Lonoke County

Growing Tips for Leeks in Lonoke County

Direct sow Leeks outdoors after March 22 in Lonoke County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Leeks in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Transplant into trenches and hill soil around stems as they grow to increase the white portion. Harvest as needed.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Peas
  • Green Beans

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Leeks in Lonoke County, AR?

Lonoke County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lonoke County, AR?

Lonoke County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lonoke County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lonoke County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.